Each December the town of Georgetown, Colorado transforms for two weekends into a bustling Christmas scene reminiscent of Christmas of long ago. Thousands come to this tiny mountain town to experience a traditional holiday where Christmas hasn't changed in 100 years: roasted chestnuts, holiday shopping, horse-drawn wagon rides through historic Georgetown, and wonderful sights and smells. Visitors enjoy appearances by St. Nicholas in his traditional dress and the daily procession of the Santa Lucia, as well as carolers in Victorian costume, dancers, and other family entertainment. Adorned with lights and Christmas greenery and blanketed with snow, the quaint, historic town of Georgetown, Colorado has been a Christmas tradition for generations of Colorado families.

The 2011 Georgetown Christmas Market will be held the first and second weekends of December and admission is FREE. Christmas Market features an outdoor European marketplace with handcrafted gifts in addition to Georgetown's charming year-round shopping experience. Beautiful and unique shops showcase Christmas ornaments and decorations, Victorian items for the home, art, Colorado wine, rare books, jewelry, exquisite clothing, antiques, and gifts. The Market will also feature food vendors in addition to our fabulous local restaurants. Please visit www.town.georgetown.co.us for more information on local businesses.

Christmas Market Museum Tours offer a relaxed way to see the Hamill House Museum, 305 Argentine St., Hotel de Paris & Energy Museums, located downtown. Prices vary. Docents are on-hand to give information or answer questions, but guests may stroll through the property at their leisure to enjoy the holiday décor.

The Wassail Crawl is a wonderful way to extend your Georgetown Christmas experience. At 2pm and 4pm each market day, tours meet at the Library Park stage and are led to participating establishments to sample traditional Wassail and/or Glögg. A shuttle bus is available for sites across town. A great afternoon warmer-upper! FREE tour, drink prices vary at each establishment.

For more information about Christmas in Georgetown, please contact Historic Georgetown, Inc. at the phone number or email below. For lodging or general information, visit georgetown-colorado.org, or call the Georgetown Gateway Visitor Center at (303) 569-2405 or call the Georgetown Community Center at (303) 569-2888.